Sliding door lock advice please

[starbiscuit]

Hello all,

Recently acquired 1970 Devon project.
I would like to be able to lock it.

One key fits all locks, but sliding door lock is stuck in the unlocked position.
I've got the handle off and the grub screw out, but cannot remove / turn / loosen the barrel.

I checked the key number on this lock against the tailgate one, which works fine, so I'm pretty sure is seized or buggered rather than wrong key.

Any ideas how to unseize it and/or get the barrel out?
(Tried WD40)
Thanks,
Rob

 

[Trikky2]

WD40 is a silicone based water repellant which also lubricates. Its not a penetrating oil suitable for un- seizing stuff.

Use something like plusgas or similar that is made for the job and leave it soaking overnight.

 

[starbiscuit]

I don't have any plusgas, or anything else to try. Not much patience either.

So I put the key in the lock and held the key tab in a vice, then brute-forced it by pushing and pulling the handle.

Eventually it gave way, fortunately without breaking anything.

The lock is so crudded-up inside that when I withdrew the barrel and the key from it, the spring things didn't pop up. The locking bar doesn't move freely either.
And one of the spring things is missing, so someone has monkeyed about with it before...

Hopefully a clean-up and re-lube will sort it out.

I have all sorts of cleaning stuff, but what's the recommendation for lubricating locks?

Cheers,

Rob

 

[KateLovesPurple]

WD40 is a silicone based water repellant which also lubricates. Its not a penetrating oil suitable for un- seizing stuff.

Use something like plusgas or similar that is made for the job and leave it soaking overnight.

Sorry to be pedantic but WD40 does not contain silicone and is a penetrating oil.

Having said that, it is not in the same league as plus gas and the like and I would use plus gas every time in preference to WD40.

 

[Trikky2]

Sorry to be pedantic but WD40 does not contain silicone and is a penetrating oil.

Having said that, it is not in the same league as plus gas and the like and I would use plus gas every time in preference to WD40.

Your right - it doesent mention anything about silicone on the tin.

I had always assumed there was silicone because it was recommended as a suitable lubricant for rubber which is intolerant of mineral oil. Now I have no idea whats in it....

I do know that it doesent penetrate anywhere near well enough to help with seized and rusty threads and it doesent last as a lubricant either, if you lube a door hinge with it the thing starts squeaking again in a couple of months - hence i dont favor it and use it only if there is no alternative.